Movement to recall Troy mayor nears signature goal (with video)

The option of recalling Troy Mayor Janice Daniels could likely be on the November ballot.

The petition to bring the recall to a vote in the upcoming election has received 97 percent of the necessary signatures, which are due by Friday, June 15.

The group Recall Janice Daniels has gathered outside local establishments, such as the library and the Troy Family Aquatic Center, since the end of March, asking residents to sign their petition. The group had 90 days to receive the 7,985 signatures, and so far, they have collected 7,760. Only registered voters in the city of Troy can sign it.

There have been more signatures asking for her resignation than voting her into the office, according to the group.

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John Kulesz, one of the group founders, said he is confident they will receive the additional 225 signatures before the deadline.

“Once the word got out that we were at 97 percent, our email has been flooded with people asking to sign the petition,” said Kulesz.

He said if residents vote for her recall in the November election, Mayor Pro Tem Maureen McGinnis would serve as mayor until the City Council appointed a replacement.

“The remaining members of council would have 30 days to replace the empty seat,” said Kulesz. “And that person would serve in that seat until the next regularly scheduled election.”

Daniels has been under fire for comments she made against homosexuals and for turning down federal funding for the proposed Troy Transit Center. Residents first started asking for her resignation after a June Facebook post she made before she was elected, which stated, “I think I am going to throw away my ‘I Love New York’ carrying bag now that queers can get married there,” came to light in December.

Daniels said she campaigned to reject the transit center and feels many residents only focus on the negative, not on the positive things she has done since she was elected last November.

“I think they’re doing this because they want to regain power. They don’t like the fact that I stand for small government, low taxes and less regulation. It’s curious to see what people will go through to regain power,” she said.

“I think I’m doing a good job of directing the meetings. I have a servant’s heart, and I care about the community. Since this new council has been elected, we have all kinds of positive signs. The requests for building permits are up, and residential sales have increased slightly.”

In response to the recall, Daniels included information on her website janicetroymayor.com for residents to donate money to help her fight it.

She wrote on her website, “You may have read that there is a small group of citizens who have filed a petition attempting to remove me from office after only four months into my first four-year term. Although this is a legal option within the American system, we believe that if we could all work together we could achieve great outcomes in Troy. I was elected by the majority of the voters in Troy to address fiscal transparency and integrity in budgeting.”

Daniels spoke to The Oakland Press in a phone interview while on her way to a packing party, where she helped pack boxes for servicemen and women overseas, adding that’s another positive thing she’s done. She also started the essay contest “Mayor for a Day” this year. Six elementary school children were selected to sit in her chair to ceremonially start the council meetings this summer. Michael Davis, 11, who recently completed fifth grade at Bethany Christian School, announced the City Council meeting on Monday.

She said one of her goals is to increase citizen participation.

“I think it’s very important that we, as a republic, understand that we the people are the true leaders of this country, and therefore, by extension, this city,” said Daniels. “This is one way to reach out to the youth and give them an idea that it might be fun to get involved in the government.”

Despite this, Kulesz, one of the Recall Janice Daniels founders, said he doesn’t think Daniels is the best representative the city can have.

“We think the totality of her actions is harmful to the city. If Troy is going to make national news, it should be for something positive. It should be because Troy took a step forward and is helping establish a transit system here in Troy. It shouldn’t be because our mayor gets caught making bigoted remarks on Facebook,” he said. “She’s taken anti-business stances by voting against the transit center, by attacking city workers.”

Troy resident Sue Martin, supporter of Recall Janice Daniels, said five-year projections show that if operations continue as they are, Troy could be bankrupt within five years. Martin said if revenues don’t increase and fund balance is used to cover pass through expenses, this could happen.

“(Daniels) voted against the transit center, she voted against city millage that would have preserved all of our services, she voted against the library millage proposal and since being in office, has voted down all resolutions for operating millages, no matter how nominal they were, to cover past due expenses like sewer,” said Martin. “I encourage residents to sign (the petition) so voters have another chance now that we’ve seen how she really intends to govern. Whether you’re for her or against her, this just gives you another chance to vote.”

FYI

Volunteers with the group Recall Janice Daniels will be outside the Troy Public Library, 510 W. Big Beaver Road, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, asking for petition signatures. For more information, visit www.recalljanice.com.

Those who want to help Daniels fight against the recall, visit janicetroymayor.com or call 248-524-3500, option 1.